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A twenty-one-year-old woman lost her life earlier today after reportedly entering the Belize River in an attempt to escape a swarm of killer bees. An urgent appeal on social media mobilized authorities and civilian divers, but despite a search lasting several hours, the operation ended tragically when the body of Xue Hua Liu was recovered shortly before four o’clock. We join reporter Zayna Augustine for that story.
An urgent appeal for help posted on social media shortly after midday today would later lead authorities and civilian divers to a tragic scene along the Belize River. At approximately 12:37 this afternoon, social activist Michelle Rudon, called on persons near the Whitfield residential community just beyond the Haulover Bridge to assist a father and daughter who had reportedly been attacked by a swarm of killer bees. The post indicated that the young girl had entered the river while attempting to escape and could not be found. Reports are Tsu Hao Lu and her father had been walking along the Philip Goldson Highway when the swarm attacked. The two reported the ran in separate directions with Lu seeking refuge in a nearby river. When she failed to resurface witnesses quickly alerted the authorities. Police and the Belize Coast Guard were called to the area while civilian divers also joined the search. For several hours, the team combed the waters as relatives and concerned residents waited for word. Two of the divers who participated in the operation explained the challenges they encountered and how Lu was eventually located.
Reporter: So talk to us about the experience of rescuing this young girl.
Tevin Conorque, Dive Instructor: “Honestly it was a little breath taking due to the depth of the water. All we could have did was free dive and try to scrub the era and see how fast we could have gotten the body water for water. Due to the darkness of the water it was a little intense for us to see. We still had to go through, we had to faith and the courage and we did what we had to do to get it out. Probably about three to four hours in the water. I felt excited to know that at least we could have gotten the body out for the family. You know, because I know they’re pretty much feel this. You know it’s tragic that their loved one is in the water and passed away due to drowning but thanks to the hope and the faith of my team we managed to get the body out of the water and bring it to the brother. This is what we train for, right? Every time we hear someone drown, possible death, we feel as a lifeguard, right? So every time we could help and assist when it comes to things like this, we are gonna be there.”
Andrew Gentle, Instructor, Owner, Life Guard 501: “And I really want to say condolence to the family. You know, thanks to my top instructor, Traplin, for doing a good job. Appreciate it. Our team is just love. We always give, we show love, but we don’t, you know, we come out a lot but we try to show our respect to everybody, you know. These guys was working, teaching swimming classes, and they wanted to leave the class but we told them that we have to take three of the team out, you know, but see, the whole team is here, all instructors are here. Thanks to my team, again Tevin for doing a good job and Chaplin.”
At approximately 3:40 this afternoon, Lu’s body was extracted from the Belize River, bringing the extensive search to a tragic end. Commander of the Belize Coast Guard, Rear Admiral Greg Soberanis, spoke about the Coast Guard’s response and the operation to recover the young girl.
Read Admiral Greg Soberanis, Commander, Belize Coast Guard: “We got a call from police, Mr. Marciano, that an unfortunate incident had occurred where a young lady had jumped in the river as a result of being attacked by bees. And so he was asking for the assistance of the Coast Guard to do a dive operation to which we responded. Whenever we do dive operations there are several things that we have to consider. We look at the current visibility but our guys activated with the assistance of other divers and fortunately, the young lady was found. With the lifeguards, we have our internal to the coast guard, we have our own system of training when it comes to water operations and conducting these types of operations. But we are always grateful for the assistance provided by other personnel who would contribute to the overall dive effort as we saw her today a collaborative effort between coast guard divers and supporting divers in locating the body of the young lady. It’s not easy. It’s never easy because you’re talking about the death, loss of life. I’ve been a diver for years. I’ve recovered personnel, people who have deceased in water, it’s never easy. There were times when I myself shed tears because of this situation. Especially when you’re talking about a young person such as the one today. So it’s difficult for a diver, for people when you have to retrieve someone like this from the water knowing that their parents, their loved ones are right here. Sometimes you do become emotional.”
Police are expected to continue investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident. A post-marchem examination is also expected to determine Lu’s official cause of death. The tragedy has left her family and members of the wider community in mourning.
English (US) ·